Saturday, June 18, 2011

This week's featured shop is a secret addiction of mine! She makes absolutely gorgeous mini notebooks (of which I own at least 4!), mini cards, tags, and all sort of other great stuff! Her work is of the highest quality and she is an absolute joy to chat with and do business with! Her shop name is LittlePinkKangaroo, but those of us around Etsy that know and love her, just call her "LPK"! Once you visit her shop, I know you will want to buy something, so she is offering up, not one, but TWO coupon codes just for you guys!!!! If you make a purchase of $11 or under, use the code, "FEATURE11" for 11% off!!! If you spend over $11, use the code, "FEATURELPK" for free shipping!!!!

Before we get to the interview questions, here's what LPK has to say about her art:

"I am originally from Sydney Australia. For the last 15 years I have been living in Northern California, mainly bay area. I have been crafting for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a big family. As a kid I was very fortunate to have two creative and loving parents who were extremely supportive of my artistic endeavours and enrolled me in music /art classes. I grew up also singing in my church. My earliest and fondest memories growing up was when I drew on my bedroom wall. Instead of my Mum getting mad, she lets me draw . She simply said, “ Go ahead and decorate your room any way you like “ I thought it was the coolest thing ever that she didn’t get mad but instead, she encouraged me to express my feelings through art.

I came to study at the University here in California. While here, I worked several jobs to help pay for tuition since tuition was fairly high, especially for international students like myself attending UC Berkeley. My background was Biochemistry.

When I could find spare time, I enjoyed making cards and jewelry. I 've made them for family and friends and have received great compliments

In 2006, I lost someone very near and dear to my heart – someone I was going to marry, in a motorcycle accident. I kept myself busy and continued crafting. It was my way of dealing with grief and loss. Crafting has been very therapeutic for me.

One day I was really bored and started surfing the internet and came across Etsy. I joined right away. I started off with my jewelry shop and then branched out with the Card Shop.
I must say, Etsy has become my creative outlet.

For the interview I was asked the following questions. Thank you so much for taking the time to read . I know it's long but please bear with me. I really appreciate the love and support you all have given me through Etsy"
1.) Which item is your favorite to make?I enjoyed everything I have ever made and I must say, everything was made with lots of love. If I had to choose, I would say my hand stamped cards/ thank you cards have been my most favorite things to make.

4.) What musical artist/genre do you like to listen to while you create?My music taste is very eclectic depending on my mood. I guess I listen to almost everything, from Gospel to classical to jazz, to Pop and R&B to Hip-Hop and even Country. My iPod has over 5000 songs on it so I can listen for days. I love mostly Jazz while I’m creating or in the mood for creating

5.) Where do you get most of your inspiration from?I'm inspired by everything around me. I could be running outside or reading a book or even cooking and then a great idea hits me. My Mum is also my inspiration for everything in my shop. I also keep a small journal with me so that when great ideas come to mind, i write them down before I forget. Overall, I’m inspired to create what I would love to see either in my hands or put out in the world. Plus, my cards and tags are very useful for other Etsians. It’s also another way to promote my work

6.) Do you have any special or hidden talents?I have the ability to listen to others and to also to make them smile. I'm generally a happy person so I love to make others smile. Another thing, I’ve been playing the violin since I was 8 and also, I can sing really well. I guess those aren’t really hidden. Lol!

7.) So...do you have, like, a room in your house just filled with paper?You can say that. My arts and crafts have taken over my house, literally. It’s everywhere. Nooooooooooooooo. In all seriousness, I have a craft room and these storage cubes to store my papers / arts and craft items - the rest goes into the garage!

8.) If you could be anyone else for one day, who would that be and why?I’d say , I’d be myself but that is kind of boring huh? I would say Oprah Winfrey. She is truly inspiring . She created positive waves around the world, but has created a great, big tsunami of good will, by inspiring others to do the same. Yes, her resume is extensive, her humanitarian deeds triumph over her multi-media victories. I think that she is one of the most charitable people and females this planet has yet seen.

You can find LPK onFacebookand she has also recently started her ownblog! So make sure you visit her awesome Etsy shop and don't forget to use the coupon codes! "FEATURE11" for 11% off orders of $11 and under, or "FEATURELPK" for free shipping on orders over $11

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Hey y'all! I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! It is time, once again, to shine a spotlight on one of my favorite Etsy shops. This week you get to meet one of my Etsy friends! Those of us that know her, call her WUTA (or possiby even Wutzie!,) but her shop name is WakeUpTheAngel and she never fails to make me laugh, and most times almost until I fall out of my chair! She makes very high quality, beautiful jewelry and you can see her passion for her art in every piece - that one up at the top just happens to be my favorite and I have been drooling over it for months...*sigh*! If you would like to snag one of her gorgeous pieces (and I HIGHLY recommend this!) she is offering a coupon code!!! When you make your purchase, enter the coupon code, "10LILACS" for 10% off! WOO-HOO!

After you check out my interview with the fabulous WUTA, be sure to also enter this weeks GIVEAWAY!!!

I have decided, once again, to add my own commentary to this week's interview - just because I can! My drivel shows up in green!

1.)Where does your shop name, "Wake Up The Angel," come from?My business name is actually Tarnished Angel - when I was thinking of making my own website - I soon found out it would not be a unique name - so I blended a family name with angel and tried to work out something funny - people giggle at the name wakeuptheangel and so I guess that worked out well . You tend to remember things that make you laugh.

And you certainly DO make me laugh!

2.) What is your favorite material to work with?

Coloured pearls and bumpy pearls - I could stare at them for hours . I also love abalone and mother of pearl.

For those of you that don't speak Canadian - she means colored pearls, eh? :)

3.) What is your favorite item that you have ever created? If it sold, did you have a hard time parting with it? I make items for myself separately from the things I put in my shops (Etsy store and jewelery stall at Carp Farmers Market in Ontario Canada). Mostly I lament when I am getting to the last few beads of one kind or another. I hoard rare or truly antique beads for myself - if I give or sell you one that is a complement.

I would love to see your bead hoard! I could also show you my extensive button hoard!

4.)What is the biggest influence or inspiration for your jewelry?My husband says I should yell out "Faberge" HA! Really I follow the style sheets and fashion publications and when I have the chance I like to watch raw feed from the fashion shows in Europe - then I more often than not choose to ignore the trends. Other than that colour is a big thing for me - that and how the beads actually feel in my hands - if they don't have "touch appeal," I won't choose them.Faberge is the type of place where you have to schedule a viewing and they even have "advisors" to help you select your jewel! I also totally know what you mean by "touch appeal," I am also a very tactile person. I pick my shampoo out by smell too - you should watch me sometime, by the end of the shampoo aisle, I've squirted shampoo up my nose at least twice!

5.)What artist or genre of music do you like to listen to while you work?

If I can get it I like to listen to electro stuff - the kind of endless music you'd dance to at all night raves. It keeps me energized and focused.

Wow...I must say you surprised me with this one! Well done!

6.)Is Canada really as beautiful as all of the pictures?Better actually. :)

I really must come visit sometimes and we can have a 2-person rave in your studio!

7.) What color inspires you most while you're creating?When I am stuck I haul out my Red beads or the Black ones to get me focused and back at it.

Excellent choices, and bold - just like you!

8.) Do you have any special or hidden talents?I cook with out recipes - this drives the "tribe" here crazy as when some thing amazing comes from the stove - more often than not it is an OOAK masterpiece LOL.

I can almost feel the frustration! I, myself, CANNOT cook without a recipe - even if I've made the dish 20 times!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Aren't giveaways fun? Yes - I think so too and it just wouldn't be Friday without one, so we're doing it again! Last weeks lucky winner was Forgotten_Fortune! Congrats to you!

Normally I would showcase some of the amazing creations of my fabulous followers, but Blogger is not behaving itself today! So this week, I'm just going to share some awesome Etsy creations that I've found! Be sure to keep reading to find out how you can enter this week's giveaway which is sponsored by Lily, the creative genius behind MyHobbyShop on Etsy!
I really love these striking 5 X 9 Mini Reds paintings from rachelheath! I can think of about 20 different places I would love to hang these!
I adore these Dark Angels Set of Magnets from ChellaBellaPapers! These would be fabulous for a magnetic inspiration board!
Wow. That's all I can say about this gorgeous AB Pink BlackBerry Limited Edition ring from Kirakemu. This very talented artist doesn't just do jewelry either! She also paints. And I happen to be so in love with her paintings as well as her jewelry, that I'm going to show you one of those as well!!
This gorgeous lady is Poison Ivy! I love the ethereal quality to this piece - I swoon!!

And now to the GIVEAWAY!!!

This week we are lucky enough to be sponsored byMyHobbyShopand she is offering up one of herfabulous pairs of crocheted earrings of your choice AND, if that's not enough, she's also offering a coupon fo you lovely readers! Just make a purchase from her shop and enter the coupon code "ONLINESHOPSPOTLIGHT" for 15% off!! Thanks Lily, your shop is gorgeous!

And here's how you can enter to win!!

1.) If you are not a follower of this blog, please do so! If you are already following me, thank you, let me know that too!

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and make sure at least one of them has an email address so that I can let you know that you've won!! Woo-hoo! This giveaway will end Thursday June 16th at midnight and the winner will be announced right here next Friday!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Okay faithful readers...be prepared for some very spectacular awesomeness today! I have manged to get Cat, the very busy owner and creator of the fabulous Polarity and Uncorked, to take a few moments and answer some questions for me! She was also generous enough to offer a coupon code to you all for the month of June! Just use the code, "SPOTLIGHT" for 15% off!

I just had to feature her here on my blog because through her shop, I have been introduced to so many fantastic artists and I totally respect her ability to create such awesome works of art with recycled materials!! That's enough about me, let's get to the good stuff!

1.)For those who haven't seen your shop before, could you give them an idea of what you're all about? I am a jewelry maker seeking to make really cool things out of other things. My goal is to work almost exclusively with materials that are made with a practical, useful purpose (cork, washers, screws, ballchain, steel car parts, test tubes, wood scraps) rather than materials made solely for design - part of leaving the lightest footprint with my work.I work mainly with sustainable cork (cork that is hand-harvested without harming the cork trees) in my Uncorked shop and recycled steel (steel is magnetic which allows it to get more easily removed from the waste stream and recycled again and again) in my Polarity shop. I fabricate my Polarity locket from a recycled steel auto part.
2.) Do you seek out the artists that you collaborate with or do they usually come to you? I haven't sought anyone out in awhile although I did in the beginning. I have a long list of amazing artists right now who have emailed me that I need to get back to! I have decided to add new artist pieces at certain times of the year so I don't go too crazy with it all.
3.) Are you able to handcraft each of the pieces with your own two hands?YES, every single locket is cleaned (I did buy an industrial parts cleaning machine this year which really helped me with that step) and fabricated by me (with love and propane) and every single piece in my Uncorked shop, too - and I have the scars and chopped up fingernails to prove it!
4.) I LOVE your new Floral Bib Style Magnetic Locket Necklace sets made with those adorable buttons!!! Where did the inspiration for those come from?Well, I love the bib style necklaces that are so hot right now and I had made lockets with buttons way back in the beginning but they got kind of lost in the shuffle. Recently when buying some new fabric for corkboards and magnetboards I stumbled upon these adorable button sets and a customer asked for something special for her bridesmaids and voila!
5.) If you're not busy making fabulous jewelry, what can you usually be found doing? I work a lot although I am committed to changing that by working smarter and not harder (still working on the particulars of that one!) - I love flea marketing with my daughter who has the best eye on the planet, biking and making other crafty repurposed whatnots that I don't sell. I believe that the best way to live a creative life (and to be open and ready for an amazing idea when it hits you) is to make lots of things just for the fun of it.

6.) Mac or PC?

PC (but I'm open to change, my Dell is slow these days)

7.) I can see your awesome jewelry becoming an addiction quite easily! Do you have a lot of return customers??

Yes, alot of my customers return for more pieces for gifts and more lids for their locket and I have a few who are totally addicted and I am a bit like a pusher giving them freebies now and then to keep them hooked!

8.) What musical artist or genre do you usually listen to while creating?

Adele- I am obsessed - you feel like there is nothing you can't do while listening to Adele! Pure inspiration.

9.) Do you do custom lockets?

Yes! I do custom lockets with customers own pics all the time and I also do wholesale work with non-Etsy artists that they sell at their shows.

Don't forget to take a minute while your here and enter this week'sGIVEAWAY!!!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Giving away free stuff is so much fun!!!! We've had 2 very successful giveaways so far, and as long as you guys keep coming, I'll keep giving, how does that sound!

The winner of the giveaway from last week, chosen by random.org was Roni (BeadsByRoni) Congratulations, you won a fabulous gift basket from The Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium! I must say that I am very jealous!

After I show you some of the amazing talents of my wonderful, super, awesome, tubular (yes...I DID just say that!!!) followers, keep on reading for the rules of this week's giveaway which is sponsored by the very talented Annie E Dennis Clay &Crochet!!!!!!

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I think I said, "wow," at least 10 times while looking through the awesome jewelry in DaVine Jewelry's shop, but this gorgeous Springtime Shell Flower & Pearl Sterling Silver Ring has to be my favorite!

I giggled when I saw this one! The Demon Applique Tshirt from De Estraperlo is so much fun!! There is al kinds of awesome funkiness in her shop!

Even after 13 pages of truly beautiful amazingness in SilverSmack's shop, I kept being drawn back to this amazing Floral Pattern Antiqued Silver Boquet Ring, isn't it fantastic?

This Layer Chain Ribbon Necklace from HelloAgainVintage would look so awesome with just the right outfit! If I had any style I would snatch it right up!

And now...the moment you've all been waiting for - the GIVEAWAY!!!! Okay, okay, keep it down! I can't hear myself think over all the cheering!

This week we are lucky enough to be sponsored by the awesomely talented Annie E Dennis Clay & Crochet! She is offering one lucky winner one item from her shop valued at $20 or less! Let's hear it for Annie and her fabulous generousness - YAYYYYYYY! AND if that's not enough for you, she's also offering a coupon, just for you guys!! Make a purchase from her shop and enter the coupon code GIVEAWAY10 and get 10% off your order! Thanks Annie, you rock!

And here's how you can enter to win!!

1.) If you are not a follower of this blog, please do so! If you are already following me, thank you, let me know that too!

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and make sure at least one of them has an email address so that I can let you know that you've won!! Woo-hoo! This giveaway will end Thursday June 9th at midnight and the winner will be announced right here next Friday!

Saturday, May 28, 2011

It's the weekend again!! You know what that means right?? Well, it means that we will once again be featuring a fantastic Etsy shop! This week's feature is from the aromalicious (yes, I did just make that up!) Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium that sells some truly fantastic bath and body products! And how do I know they're fantastic? I've tried them that's how!!! If you want to know exactly what I thought of their products, check out my review!

1. What, exactly, is a caldarium anyway? The definition of "caldarium" is a hot bath in a Roman bathhouse but I love the word so much it's our "kitchen". Our "caldarium" is located in our boutique behind our retail space and that is where we make all of our products fresh daily.

2. Which soap or fragrance is you personal favorite? My personal favorite is our "Bathhouse Couture" fragrance. It's not what you think traditional, handmade bath & body products would smell like. It's for the modern person who loves handmade. It's a draw of fresh fruits, white florals, and sweet caramel. It can not be described it words. It's a fragrance that you just HAVE to smell.

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Cookie Dough soap -yummy!

3. Your Goat's Milk Body Glaze fragrances sound amazing - have you ever made a real stinker of a fragrance? Oh yes...I've made soap for 13 years so in that time I've made a stinker or two. I've made many that I personally don't care for but are true to the fragrance they represent, many of them being great sellers for me. One that stands out in particular is a "dill pickle" scented soap. I made wedding favors for a customer who's last name was changing to "Dill" and she requested dill soap as wedding favors for 300 guests. It took about 6 months to de-funk my workshop!

4.With soap fragrances like Peanut Butter N' Jelly, Cookie Dough and Root Beer, do you ever get hungry while making soap?Totally! To the point that I am opening a cupcake boutique right next door to Bathhouse Soapery! Our biggest comment when customers come into our store is that they wish they could eat the soaps....so now they can get satisfaction from cupcakes that match our soap names. I do get to live out some of my cravings through our veggie lip balms though!

If so, what is your snack of choice while you're working? Ha! I love this question... I typically don't eat in the caldarium because I will end up eating soap! You would think soap making is a clean process but it's not. Before I made soap in my own desginated shop I would make it in my kitchen and my kids would always yell out things like "Mom, my milk taste like soap!" or "Dang it Mom, my spaghetti tastes like soap!".

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Milk mineral bath

5. Which of your products is your favorite to help relax after a stressful day?My favorite relaxation concotion is our "Sleep" Mineral Bath mixed with our "Milk" Mineral Bath. The scent is like a lavender milkshake that leaves you oh-so-soft and super relaxed. I just throw a handful in a warm bath and soak. It helps my achy muscle and joints while giving the water a luscious smell.

6. I see that you mention a "drydown" scent - what is that?It's when the topnotes and midnotes evaporate and lead the fragrance into the endnotes that settle on the skin to form the intended fragrance. All fragrances change with one's skin and they will transform during the dry down.

Foaming Body Scrub

7. Have you ever tasted, or been tempted to taste any of your soaps? If so, which one and how did it taste? Absolutely because the smells are so dead on! Personally, I've tongued our Oatmeal Foaming Body Scrub because the process is so close to making a delectable dessert. I start out whipping the soap in a Kitchen Aid mixer, I then add a pinch of cane sugar, a few cups of colloidial oatmeal, a dollop of shea butter, and my own fragrance blend of cream cheese frosting, buttercream, and real vanilla bean. There was an almost a full-blown makeout session with "Cookie Dough" soap because it smells like cookie dough heating up in a warm oven. I even tell customers that they shouldn't be ashamed if they taste their purchases; the smells play tricks with your mind!

8. Mac or PC?I'm a newely converted iPad and iPhone user so I'm gravitating towards Mac but up to this point I've only had a PC because I buy off the bargain rack!

9. What other crafting style/genre are you most amazed/impressed/intimidated by?I love photography and if I didn't make soap I would absolutely persue that venture more. I like old photographs turned into mixed media. One of my favorite artists is redheart13.etsy.com. I own many of Leila Marvel's Skeleton Krew prints. I enjoy gravestone rubbing and old ephemera. On the opposite end I can't get enough 20s, 30s, and 40s style pinup art. My cupcake boutique in will be called "Fat Bottomed Girl's Cupcake Boutique". It will be styled after the pinup era that I love surrounding myself with!

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10. If you were limited to being able to have only one of your products, personally, which one couldn't you live without?Aside from soap because that is my true obsession it would be my Goat's Milk Body Mist. Not only is it fabulous for quick lotion application and full body fragrance it's so versatile for general purpose uses. It works as an air freshener, leave in hair conditioner, facial moisturizer, and car freshener.

11. How is your bath and body boutique unique from others?My goal for Bathhouseis to give our customers a truly unique experience. When a customer orders one of our Foaming Body Scrubs in store, online, or over the phone they are freshly hand-dipped from the body scrub bar my husband built by hand. Our soaps are cut fresh from the raw loaf by the slice. We even hand-scoop our mineral baths fresh out of the jar when ordered. Because bathtime is the only time in your day that you are truly alone, I strive to make essentials that maximize the quality of that time.

Like I said...I've tried their producs and I can attest to the quality! If you want to see a more detailed review of the products I've tried, check out my Product Reviews!

Friday, May 27, 2011

And WE'RE DOING IT AGAIN! Please see the bottom of today's post for the deets! But first for some of the amazing talent from my fabulous followers!!!

This Streamtail Hummingbird Dictionary Page Art Pring by PrintsByFormedByFireis very cool! I love the bright colors of the bird and the vintage feel of the print!

This Alice In Wonderland "Drink Me" Charm from Studio11Charmsis so cool! This could be made into some seriously cool jewelry!

I know it's not Valentine's Day, but I really like this Retro Romance digital Valentine collage sheet from rochepapierciseaux. This would make some really great tags or cards!

This pastel Spring Wreath with birds nest from sweetalyssa is so bright and beautiful! This would be beautiful hanging from a vanity mirror!!

This week, thanks to the fabulously wonderful Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium, we're having another giveaway! SWEET! And the prizes this week are fantastic! Char, of Bathhouse, has generously offered up 3 fabulous items for this weeks giveaway, they are a 5oz "Milk" Foaming Body Scrub (this is how the "Milk" scent is described: Milk - Sugar a bit of pink sugars, cotton candy, fresh citrus, and a milky finish. This is very feminine and innocent. - uhhhh, yummy anyone?), the matching "Milk" Mineral Bath salts and a bar of their Goats Milk Smoothie Soap - this is over a $30 value!!! I have tried their products and I can tell you for certain that they are of the best quality! So here's how you get your entries this week...

1.) If you are not a follower of this blog, please do so! If you are already following me, thank you, let me know that too!

Please leave a seperate comment for each entry and make sure at least one of them has an email address so that I can let you know that you've won!! Woo-hoo! This giveaway will end Thursday June 2nd at midnight and the winner will be announced right here next Friday!

This giveaway is NOW CLOSED!!! The winner from this week was Roni (BeadsByRoni) Congratulations!!!!! Be sure to see this Friday's post for another fab giveaway! :)

Would you just look at this divine hand-dyed silk ribbon from crystl j. silk? That color is so deep and rich! This ribbon would look beautiful on so many projects, my mind is reeling wtih the possibilities!!!

Aubergine. Shoes. Need I say more? YES! Because these lovely kicks have been hand painted by norakaren with this beautiful orchid design! Makes me wish I had a place to wear fancy shoes!

Awwwww, that's so sweet! I love all of the cards from Storeyshop, but the color of this one really makes it special!

I love, love, love this gorgeous photo from Erin La Rue Photography! I'm not sure what it is about this photo - other than that gorgeous aubergine flower! - that speaks to me, but it really does!

I totally want this cute little knit pixie hat from pixiebell! I think it would keep my ears nice and toasty as well as fashionable! :)

Ummm...WOW? This ruffled silk Carina Bolero by bonzie is amazing! I just want to touch it soooo bad! I can only hope to ever own something that gorgeous! *swoon!*

Okay, I seriously had, like, 15 other things in this gorgeous color that I wanted to post today, but I will spare you and stop there!!! Do you have a beautiful, but obscure color that you love or is this now your favorite color? See you all tomorrow!

Holy cow...I almost died of cuteness overload when I saw these two mice from fantiny!!!!! I love how they have so much character to them and that they are small enough to fit in that shell! I also had to crack up at what fantiny put in the description - "two tiny nuts...in a mouse shell!" I have always wanted to learn needle felting and this just makes me want it more!

I love the feminine detail on these lovely lace wrist cuffs by Scarletrabbit. Not only are they beautiful, but it's actually two pairs of cuffs that you can wear individually or as a layered set for 3 totally different looks! Aren't they beautiful?

Okay...I know that part of the reason I have this as one of my favorites is because of that beautiful baby, but I still totally love the Pumpkin Musse felt headband from PrettyPlush! Those colors really pop and look so cute!

I am extremely impressed with the quality of work from detailsbykarlita! I own one of her clips that was a custom order that she had finished within an hour or me ordering it and it is AWESOME! I've basically hearted everything in her shop, but I'm especially taken with this garden inspired Summer flower headband, aren't the colors beautiful?

That was fun! I'll be back next week with some more goodies from my "favorites bin"!